Vin# On Frame Has "WN72"prefix! Why?

[Gary R.]

My '60 had an obvious frame replacement as part of a restoration over 10 years ago. It's gone thru several owners since. After much searching in all of the usual places, I found the VIN# stamped on a welded plate on the top R/F frame rail under the front of the exhaust manifold. The numbers while correct to the title (00867S etc) read as follows on the VIN plate: WN72 00867S and the remaining correct 6 digits. My question is: What does the "WN72" mean or stand for?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[John H.]

Re: Vin# On Frame Has "WN72"prefix! Why?

The numbers while correct to the title (00867S etc) read as follows on the VIN plate: WN72 00867S and the remaining correct 6 digits. My question is: What does the "WN72" mean or stand for?

Gary -

"On the VIN plate"....do you mean the GM VIN plate on the hinge pillar, or the welded plate on the frame? Got a photo of the plate on the frame?

[Bruce B.]

Re: Vin# On Frame Has "WN72"prefix! Why?

Gary,
Sounds like someone stamped a steel plate with the vin with the prefix "WN72" possibly indicating when the frame was replaced then welded it to the frame.
Do you have the original vin tag screwed on the front drivers side door jam or the welded to the steering couumn?
Extra vin tags on cars are not a good thing.

[Gary R.]

Re: Vin# On Frame Has "WN72"prefix! Why?

Gary,
Sounds like someone stamped a steel plate with the vin with the prefix "WN72" possibly indicating when the frame was replaced then welded it to the frame.
Do you have the original vin tag screwed on the front drivers side door jam or the welded to the steering couumn?
Extra vin tags on cars are not a good thing.

Bruce.. thanks for the reply.. My car does not have a VIN tag on the door post nor does it have one on the steering column. The only VIN# is described in my original posting. My question is what does the "WN72" prefix mean?
Gary (33497)

[Gary C.]

Re: Vin# On Frame Has "WN72"prefix! Why?

Gary, have you had the body off the frame and checked the stamping? Gary....

[Gary R.]

Re: Vin# On Frame Has "WN72"prefix! Why?

Gary -

"On the VIN plate"....do you mean the GM VIN plate on the hinge pillar, or the welded plate on the frame? Got a photo of the plate on the frame?

John..

Thanks for the response. My car does NOT have a VIN Plate on the door post or steering column where they are usually found on a 1960 Corvette. the only VIN # location is described in my posting.It's the "WN72" prefix to the S/N that has me baffled! Can you point me to an expert on this sort of thing?
Gary(33497)

[Gary R.]

Re: Vin# On Frame Has "WN72"prefix! Why?

Gary, have you had the body off the frame and checked the stamping? Gary....

Gary..
I have not had the body off but spent hours looking for the stamping # under the drivers seat, on top of the frame. I had my mechanic use his "periscope" electronic tool to check as well. There is no number in any of the usual places other than that described in my original posting. The car had an extensive body off restoration in 2001 (in California) but no mention in any of my receipts and records that came with the car that the frame was replaced. I am the third owner since the restoration and am unable to locate the individual who did the work. I think that the frame was replaced somewhere along the line. Your thoughts?

Can you direct me to an "expert" that can help me solve the mystery of the
"WN72" prefix?

Gary (33497)

[Gary C.]

Re: Vin# On Frame Has "WN72"prefix! Why?

Gary,

Was your car ever in the State of Washington? Googled old State abbreviations and one said "WN" was used on postcards 50 years ago.

If so, WN72 could possible be Washington State 1972.

Gary
....

[Bruce B.]

Re: Vin# On Frame Has "WN72"prefix! Why?

Bruce.. thanks for the reply.. My car does not have a VIN tag on the door post nor does it have one on the steering column. The only VIN# is described in my original posting. My question is what does the "WN72" prefix mean?
Gary (33497)

Gary,
Other then my original comment I have no clue what the WN72 could be.

[Jack H.]

Re: Vin# On Frame Has "WN72"prefix! Why?

Several who have replied (John Hinckley, Gary Chesnut) are considered 'expert' and their lack of cognent explanation is telling you two things:

(1) What you report is NOT typical of factory production.

(2) This 'may' have been a local practice for a legitimate, State issued replacement VIN tag...

NCRS does recognize such replacement VIN tags. But, the burden of proof regarding what's 'typical' in this area falls on the owner. Perhaps you should consult law enforcement officials in the State where you purchased the car.

[John H.]

Re: Vin# On Frame Has "WN72"prefix! Why?

My car does not have a VIN tag on the door post nor does it have one on the steering column. The only VIN# is described in my original posting. My question is what does the "WN72" prefix mean?
Gary (33497)

Gary -

If that's what's stamped on the plate and the plate is welded to the top of the frame, and the VIN on the title matches exactly what's stamped on the plate, it sounds like a state-issued VIN, possibly from Wisconsin or Washington, issued in 1972.

[Domenic T.]

Re: Vin# On Frame Has "WN72"prefix! Why?

John..

Thanks for the response. My car does NOT have a VIN Plate on the door post or steering column where they are usually found on a 1960 Corvette. the only VIN # location is described in my posting.It's the "WN72" prefix to the S/N that has me baffled! Can you point me to an expert on this sort of thing?
Gary(33497)

Gary,
have a similar story on my 67. My right frame also has a stamped vin on a plate that is welded to the frame. Also my vin and trim tag were removed from under the glove box.
My vin# on the plate is the same that is on the frame and title with one exception, it has CA in front of it.
I was told years ago during a vin inspection that it was a California car by the inspecting officer.
Much much later I posted on this forum and finally got the answers I needed combined with a little more research.
The answer was that my car was a total wreck or stolen. It might have been both as it was wrecked when I bought it AS/IS.
This was to keep some thief from buying the car (cheap)to get the legal tags, then stealing another and puting the tags on it and painting it another color.
In Illinois I had a 65 SS stolen, stripped and wrecked (cut up). I was approached by the body shop telling me that he had a buyer for the car. for the life of me I didn't understand what anyone would want with a car that was 1/3 there. MY VIN and TITLE.

DOM